Footwear maker Dr. Martens poaches Cath Kidston boss

Footwear maker Dr. Martens has poached UK fashion brand Cath Kidston Chief Executive Kenny Wilson, the Telegraph reported on Sunday.

Wilson was CEO of Cath Kidston for nearly seven years after joining the British home wares and fashion brand known for vintage-inspired floral prints in 2011. Wilson's replacement at Cath Kidston will be announced soon, the report said.

The chief executive has turned the decor retailer into an international powerhouse. When Wilson joined in 2011 it had sales of £60m and just four stores outside the UK. Sales have more than doubled to nearly £130m and the number of stores around the world now stands at around 220. 

In 2017, Dr. Martens was left without a CEO when Steve Murray left his position late last year and Chairman Paul Mason became interim chief.

Cath Kidston and Dr. Martens did not respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

In February, the UK-based footwear firm poached Mathieu Garcia as global marketing director after having spent 12 years at Ralph Lauren Europe.

Reporting on its most recent financials in October, Dr. Martens said that revenue soared 25% to just over £290 million in the year to March. Underlying profit rose an even bigger 27% to £37.5 million.